Letters sent from Iris Murdoch to her friend and fellow philosopher Philippa Foot from 1942 to the 1990s. Iris Murdoch and Philippa Foot met at the University of Oxford and went on to share a flat together in London from 1943 to 1945. There followed a period of some estrangement as Philippa Foot married historian Michael (MRD) Foot, following his previous relationship with and subsequent rejection by Iris Murdoch. Their friendship was rekindled in 1959 following Philippa Foot’s divorce, and they remained friends and corresponded regularly while the latter was based in the USA. In the letters their friendship is discussed, as well as their work in philosophy and literature, and events taking place in the wider world at large.

Sixteen books formerly owned by Iris Murdoch- they either have dedications to her, or notes of her name written in the front. One book is partially annotated.

Items relating to Iris Murdoch from 1939 to 1995. Includes:

1) Uncorrected Proof Copy of Iris Murdoch's 'The Book and the Brotherhood'

2) Booklet: Theology in Scotland Occasional Paper No 1 Apr 1995- 'Iris Murdoch's Giffords' A Study of the 1982 Gifford Lectures Edited by RA Gillies

3) Original copy of 'The Cherwell' magazine Vol LVI No 6 dated Week Ending 03 Jun 1939, including Iris Murdoch's piece 'The Irish- Are they Human?'

4) 6 original letters from Iris Murdoch to a bookseller regarding seeing first editions from the 1980s, with a letter from The Paris Review to Iris Murdoch regarding an interview dated 14 Mar 1977 and a photograph of a book shop.

Notebooks and other items belonging to Iris Murdoch from her home at Charlbury Road, Oxford. Includes:

1) File containing typed draft of paper 'Evil is to Love, what Mystery is to Intelligence' by Martin Andic dated 26 Feb 1995, plus typed text draft of the opening pages of John Bayley's 'Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch'

2) Bundle containing handwritten notes by Iris Murdoch on Martin Heidegger, plus typed notes on philosophy with handwritten annotations by Murdoch c. early 1990s

3) 16 notebooks containing notes on the Greek language 1960s- 1980s

4) 4 notebooks with planning notes for the novel 'The Good Apprentice'

5) Notebook with notes on 'The Message to the Planet'

6) Notebook with notes on 'The Book and the Brotherhood'

7) 8 notebooks with notes on philosophy, including notes on the Gifford Lectures and 'Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals'

8) 2 notebooks from Iris Murdoch's trip to China 1979

9) Notebook from trip to India/ Australia 1967

10) Appointment diaries 1978 and 1980

11) 2 notebooks on unknown subjects (possibly philosophy)

12) Notebook on Hebrew 1979

13) Indexed notebook with topics noted in top right hand corner, possibly for Greek words. However pages are empty.

14) Notebook dated 26 Jan 1954- first few pages have been removed, otherwise the notebook is empty

15) Notebook dated 1955- 1958. One page of notes on ethics in the back, and several pages have been ripped out from the front. Otherwise empty. Possibly originally used as a journal?

16) Notebook noted as belonging to Iris Murdoch at HM Treasury dated 12 Mar 1944. Several pages have been ripped out from the front. Otherwise empty. Possibly originally used as a journal?

17) Blank nature notebook

18) 2 photographs of Iris Murdoch's desk, labelled on reverse by John Bayley 'Iris Murdoch's table'

19) Piece of blotting paper used by Iris Murdoch when writing letters

20) 23 empty envelopes either addressed to Iris Murdoch and / or John Bayley, or addressed by Iris Murdoch to other people

21) 3 pieces of Berkeley Department of English Headed Paper, one with beginnings of a letter written by Iris Murdoch to unknown recipient

22) 5 blank postcards from St Catherine's College, and 3 blank pieces of notepaper. Murdoch has written the Cedar Lodge address on the back of one of the postcards.

23) 2 blank postcards

24) Blank postcards with Reynold Stone's name and address at the top

24) Blank notepaper with La Valencia Hotel printed at the top

25) Two blank pre-printed invitation cards

26) 5 blank pieces of notepaper printed with the Conservation Society logo

27) Blank postcard from New College Oxford

28) Postcard advertising opening of an exhibition by Lesley Foxcroft at the Riverside Studios

29) Invitation to Iris Murdoch and John Bayley to attend an event at Parker and Son Ltd 14 Nov 1984

30) Invitation to cocktails at Timothy Dwight College 28 Feb 1983

31) Blank black notebook

32) Blank Basildon Bond notepad

33) 3 blank WH Smith notebooks

Records of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain (AS in GB) and its predecessors comprising:

biographical material relating to Rudof Steiner, - mostly printed, (undated);

General Anthroposophical Society (GAS) and the AS in GB statutes, membership cards, introductory booklets, 1920s-1930s;

papers relating to the history of the General Anthroposophical Society from the German Section of the Theosophical Society, mainly printed, 1911-1923;

papers relating to the history of the AS in GB from the Theosophical Society - 1920s, including minutes, reports, correspondence, notices balance sheets, etc;

papers relating to the history of the AS in GB - 1930s, including annual reports, correspondence, notices, minutes;

papers relating to the History of the AS in GB - 1940s-1980s including reports of AGMS, balance sheets, correspondence, notices, and related papers;

papers relating to activities in other London venues including The English Section of the GAS including programmes for lectures 1921-1980, world conference, 1928; summer schools, 1920s-1930s; public conferences, 1922-1990s; English Section Events, 1935-1970;

minutes of Trustees of the English Section of the GAS, 1960-1970; account books and membership records of the English Section, 1951-1971; Newsletter of the English Section, 1940-1970 (incomplete); 2 day books of the English Section Library, 1934-1939;

papers relating to regional Groups and activities of the AS in GB including correspondence relating to groups, 1920s-1930s; lectures given in various cities, 1930s; Northern Regional Group meetings, 1930; Programmes and correspondence relating to individual groups, 1920s-1930s including Aberdeen, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Forest Row, Harrogate, Ilkeston, Leeds, Letchworth, Liverpool (Apollonious Group), Llandudno, Manchester, Teddington (The Michael Group), Oxford, Streatham (Shakespeare Group), Preston (William Blake Group), Sheffield, Worcester, York, Zarathustra Group; leaflets, 1958-1978; Group newsletters, 1990s-present;

files relating to publishing including correspondence with Rudolf Steiner Press, 1962-1990; translations of works by Michael Wilson , Anna Meuss; Steiner House Library report 1921 and catalogue, 1948; catalogues of Rudolf Steiner Publishing Co;

papers relating to Rudolf Steiner House including public programme, 1927-present; programmes for conferences and workshops; 1941; leaflets on classes and study groups [1930-1950]; opening of Steiner Hall and House, 1926, 1932; proposals for use of Steiner House, 1920s-1990s; open day programmes, 1993-present; financial appeal, 1924-1986; festivals, 1939-present; drama and speech events, 1928-1993; programmes for Eurythmy performances, from 1930; Steiner House research project;

papers relating to the First and Second Goetheanums including handbooks, foundation ceremony, descriptions of the burning, reports on building the Second Goetheanum, reopening in 1928, completion of the Goetheanum, 1950s;

papers relating to Anthroposophical Societies in other countries, including leaflets and brochures from Italy, Germany, Switzerland (other then Dornach), Netherlands, Austria, France, Ireland, USA, Australia, South Africa, India, 1911-1989;

papers relating to the visual arts, including newsletters, information about course and classes; Art and architecture of Steiner House; Arild Rosenkrantz, Mercury Arts Group, furniture, 1940-1990;

papers relating to Performing Arts - drama, Steiner's mystery dramas, Faust: including programmes and leaflets, 1930s-present;

papers relating to performing arts - Eurythmy, eurythmy theatre, speech and music, including booklets, leaflets, programmes, 1922-present;

papers relating to Medical and Curative education, brochures, newsletters, obituaries, 1930s-1990s;

papers relating to Camphill - including reports of Camphill Rudlof Steiner Schools, 1952-1962; newsletters concerning the Garvald Centre, 1989-1993; annual report of the Camphill Village Trust, 1988-1989;

papers relating to the history of Steiner Education in Great Britain, including booklets, press cuttings, correspondence, 1920s-1990s;

papers relating to the First Waldorf School, Stuttgart, and Steiner Education in other countries, 1920s-1980;

papers relating to Social and Economic initiatives, 1920s-1990s;

papers relating to bio-dynamic farming, sciences and ecology, 1970s-1990s;

papers relating to the Christian Community, 1930s-1990s;

papers relating to meditations and soul calendar translations (unpublished, undated) ;

member's personal notebooks, correspondence and obituary notices, 1950s-1990s;

papers relating to controversies in the GAS, 1920s-1960s;

papers relating to attacks on anthroposophy, and replies, 1912-1921;

photographs including images of Rudolf Steiner, Rudolf Steiner House, various institutions in UK and Switzerland; of Anthroposophists and groups; events including centenary exhibition; conferences, and congresses; 1879-present;

slides of the painting by Gerard Wagner from the first Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland, as well as images of the First and Second Goetheanum; and Anthroposophical institutions;

publications including the Society's newsletter Anthroposophical Movement 1924-1974; and Anthroposophical News sheet 1975-2003;

copies of unpublished articles, on various topics, relating to Anthroposophy, (28 boxes);

press cuttings, 1920s-present.

Letters from Iris Murdoch to Hal Lidderdale dating from 1945 to 1990s. Lidderdale was a friend of Murdoch's from Oxford where they were students together, and they remained in touch until Lidderdale's death. Topics covered in the letters include Murdoch's work following the Second World War with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), meeting with Jean Paul Sartre, her brief engagement to David Hicks, and her later work and travels.

Papers of Iris Murdoch, 1952, comprise a typescript paper 'Nostalgia for the Particular', read by Murdoch to the Aristotelian Society on 9 June 1952. The typewritten paper includes hand written corrections made by Murdoch and discusses the 'mental event', 'the concept of the mind' and other philosophical ideas. The paper was later collated in the volume of Murdoch's essays on philosophical subjects, Existentialists and Mystics: Writings on Literature and Philosophy.

Correspondence and documents created by Denis Paul. Denis Paul was an author and philosopher with a strong interest in Wittgenstein. He corresponded with many individuals regarding this interest, notably with author Iris Murdoch amongst others. The collection contains many letters written to Denis Paul by Murdoch, Isiah Berlin and others, and some documents written by Denis Paul in the course of his life time- this includes drafts of books and screenplays on which he worked.

Letters sent from Iris Murdoch to French author and poet Raymond Queneau, dating from 1946 to 1975. Iris met Queneau while doing war work with the UNRRA, and enjoyed a regular correspondence with him. She claimed that she owed much of her writing to her friendship with Queneau, and dedicated her first novel 'Under the Net' to him. The letters cover a number of topics including the early days of Murdoch's writing and philosophical views, her work with the UNRRA, and early relationships.

With some articles collected by Queneau on the work of Iris Murdoch

Notes containing extracts from ancient Greek philosophers' writings, in Russian [c 1941]

Papers of John Watkins, from the 1940s onwards consisting of an alphabetical series of correspondence files, mainly with other philosophers including Karl Popper, Imre Lakatos and Paul Feyerabend.